West Alabama Demographics

"Welcome to Alabama’s friendliest and most progressive community. Here we take pride in our heritage, our commitment to quality and our promising future. Our history is older than the state of Alabama. Our future is insured with a dedication to attaining the very best for our citizens

Take a moment and stroll through our diverse neighborhoods. Visit us during our annual CityFest. Enjoy the thrill of college football. Fish, swim and boat on our abundant waters. Reach back into our history.

Of course, being Southern, we feature the best food anywhere from barbecue to the finest cuisine. It is all here along with friendly people, ready smile and warm greetings."

-Former Mayor Al DuPont

The West Alabama trade area is comprised of seven counties. These counties include Bibb County, Fayette County, Greene County, Hale County, Lamar County, Pickens County and Tuscaloosa County. Tuscaloosa County is the most densely populated of the seven, with an estimated population of 171,159 in 2006. The entire West Alabama trade area had a 2006 estimate population of 272,937.

West Alabama Trade Area

The West Alabama area is 50 miles southwest of Birmingham and 95 miles northwest of Montgomery. Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville are within 200 miles of the area and New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are within 300 miles. Other major markets such as Lexington, Ky., Charlotte, N.C., Jacksonville, Fla., and Greenville, S.C. are within a 400-mile radius. This strategic location provides West Alabama businesses with access to numerous major markets.

The geography of West Alabama is very diverse. The area is located where the Appalachian Mountains meet the coastal plain and the Black Warrior River. Hills and mountains cover the northern portion of the six county area, while the southern portion is flat and fertile land. Lakes and rivers are abundant throughout the region.

The West Alabama trade area is serviced by Interstates 59/20 and 359, as well as U.S. Highways 82, 43, and 11, State Highways 69, 215, and 171.

The Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport offers limited air service on a 6,500 foot lighted jet runway, while Birmingham International Airport is only one hour north on I-59/20. Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern offer railroad freight service to the West Alabama. Passenger service is offered by Amtrack with routes to New York and New Orleans. The Black Warrior River is a federally maintained river and allows barge service to the Port of Mobile, via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Over 18 motor freight companies also service the area.

Facts about West Alabama:

Climate

• Annual Average Temperature (F°) . . . . . . . . 62.8
• Month with lowest Avg. Temp.. . . . . . . Jan. (32.4)
• Month with highest Avg. Temp. . . . . . . July (91.4)
• Annual Average Precipationl (inches) . . . . . 57.70
  
  Source: Southeast Regional Climate Center

Cultural Events & Facilities

Tuscaloosa is the largest city in the West Alabama trade area. The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa strives to bring new and exciting cultural events to the region. Many cultural facilities and events are currently available n the area. The list below provides some examples of such events and facilities.

Frank Moody Music Building

• Fashioned after the Vienna Philharmonic
• Home of the Tuscaloosa Symphony

Garland Art Gallery

• 19^th & 20^th Century art
• Includes work from Picasso and Ansel Adams
• Located on the University of Alabama Campus

Kentuck Festival of the Arts

• Attracts over 30,000 visitors and 300 artisans
• Held at Kentuck Park every October

Moundville Native American Festival

• Exhibition of the culture of Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole Indians

Old Towne Northport

• A collection of art galleries, museums and restaurants
• Voted one of the “Top 100 Small Art Communities in the United States”

Sakura Festival

• Spring festival
• Celebrates the relationship with Tuscaloosa’s sister city, Narashino City, Japan

Westervelt-Warner Museum

• One of the finest collections of art in the U.S.
• Located in the Gulf States National Headquarters

Banks

Credit Unions

Stock & Bond Brokers

• American Express Financial Advisors
• AmSouth Investment Services Inc.
• Edward Jones
• First Federal Bank
• Merrill Lynch
• Morgan Keegan and Company, Inc.
• National Bank of Commerce
• USB Painewebber
• Shuttlesworth & Associates

Accommodations

The West Alabama Trade Area is an ideal location for conventions and other business related gatherings. The Tuscaloosa area alone has more than 32 hotels and Bed and Breakfasts with a total of over 2,200 total rooms. Numerous meeting locations can accommodate groups of all sizes. Facilities at the University of Alabama add to the marketability of the area as a convention destination.

Recreation

Along with the more than four recreational lakes and three rivers, the West Alabama area has a wide variety of land based activities. The more than seven golf courses, both private and public, will pose a challenge for any avid golfer. Two state parks offer visitors camping, hiking and fishing opportunities. Local YMCAs and other organizations coordinate a number of sport activities for participants of all ages.

West Alabama’s Recent Growth

Economic growth is essential to the success of any community. The West Alabama Trade Area has experienced significant growth over the past five years. The events below are an example of the growth experienced by the region.

1993

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International announces that it will begin production of its M-Class vehicle in 1997 at a plant located in Vance, AL.

1994

StressCrete, a manufacturer of decorative concrete utility poles, announces that it will produce products to supply all of its North American customers.

A $171 million dollar expansion is underway at Tuscaloosa Steel Corporation that will double its production capacity to one million tons per year.

ZF Industries, a company specializing in axle assembly, opens a facility to become a supplier for Mercedes-Benz.

1995

Johnson Controls announces the location of its second facility in the area. This facility will produce the seating and headliner systems for Mercedes-Benz.

Delphi Packard Electronic Systems agrees to open an assembly facility to produce the cockpit unit for Mercedes-Benz.

1996

A new plastics warehouse and distribution, run by Avenue Intermodal, opens in the Tuscaloosa Airport Industrial Park. The plant will use the rail capability of the facility to distribute powdered and pelleted plastics, to local manufacturers.

1997

Mercedes-Benzs begins production of its M-Class at the Vance production facility.

2001

On August 28, 2000 Daimler Chrysler announces an expansion of teh Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant in Vance, AL. The company plans to invest approximately $600 million to increase production at the plant to 160,000 sport utility vehicles. This expansion will double the size of the plant creating 2,000 additional jobs.

Alabama Paper Products, a new roofing felt paper mill, began construction on it new facility to be completed in August 2002. The company will be a 100 percent recycled mill.

ARD Logistics- AL is creating 54 jobs with a $2.7 million plant that will supply Johnson Controls.

Tuscaloosa News will begin construction on a $25 million plant which will employ 20 additional people.

JVC America is planning a $12.7 million expansion into DVD products. The expansion includes hiring fifty additional personnel, equipment, and facilities.

ZF Industries, the largest independent manufacturer of automotive components in the world, announce site plans to expand the existing facities in Tuscaloosa. ZF Industries supplies axle modules for Mercedes-Benz.

2002

ISE Innovative Systems, US announced plans to construct a $17.6 million facility at the Airport Industrial Park in Tuscaloosa that will employ 120 new people. The company will manufacture front and rear end modules for Mercedes-Benz.

Elk Corportation of Alabama plans to spend $77 million to add a second shingle production line for roofing products. The expansion includes hiring 121 additional employees.

Recticel North America announced plans to construct a facility that will supply the polyurethane spray "skins" for M-Class interior. The new plant will bring 160 new jobs to our area.

Carlisle Engineered Products plans to expand existing personnel, equipment, and facility. This expansion will create 25 new jobs.

Johnson Controls plans to expand present equipment, facilities, and personnel, creating 480 additional jobs.

An announcement was made that a new 250,000 to 300,000 square-foot shopping complex consisting of both large and small retail stores, restaurants and other outlets was to be built. The goal for opening is the spring of 2004.

A major retail development scheduled to open in Tuscaloosa in 2004 will include Tuscaloosa’s first Publix Supermarket as well as other retail shops. Construction of the Shops at Lake Tuscaloosa will begin in March 2003 and is scheduled for completion by February 2004.

2003

Borgers USA Corporation will build a $5 million parts plant to supply the Mercedes M-Class sport utility vehicle plant in Vance. The new plant will create 52 job openings.

Thompson Tractor Company, a company specializing in sales and service of caterpillar products, plans to expand its equipment and facilities, creating 10 additional jobs.

In June 2003, Brose, a German company that supplies components to auto manufacturers around the world, announced it’s intentions to build a $13 million plant right next to the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, AL, where a $600 million expansion is currently underway. Brose is already making plans for 2 more expansions after the current facility is functional and will bring about 80 jobs to Tuscaloosa before the expansion projects get underway.

The Tuscaloosa City Council approved an $80 million redevelopment plan for downtown Tuscaloosa. Funded primarily by the federal government, the project will last for several years and will centralize many of the municipal and federal operations in the city. The facelift will incorporate buildings in a seven-block radius and will include a reflection pond in the center.

Eberspaecher North America, a parts supplier for Mercedes, will begin site preparation in the beginning of July ’03 in the Vance area. Their auto exhaust plant will cost $6 Million and employ around 56 people. Officials expect the plant to finish in 2004 around the same time Mercedes finishes its current expansion.

Alabama Paper Products announces an expansion that will create 21 new jobs.

Planned renovation of Northwood Crossings Shopping Center will include a 44,000 square-foot Publix Supermarket. The Supermarket is slated to open by late December or early January.

Plans to build a 28,000 square-foot Publix Supermarket at the Northwest corner of University Blvd. and Campus drive were announced. Projected completion date for this project is the summer of 2004.

First Publix Supermarket, located at the new Shops at Lake Tuscaloosa, opens hiring over 150 employees.

Woods & Water expands. The new facility on a hill overlooking Skyland Blvd. Is 40,000 square-feet. It maintains an upscale feel with a rustic exterior. The location has 272 parking spaces and room for expansion.

The Shoppes at Northport opens with 33,500 square-feet of retail space.

Wal-Mart invested $4 million to add an additional 68,220 square feet to its existing Northport location. This expansion created 200 additional jobs and increased the store size to 199,700 square feet. The Northport Wal-Mart originally opened in 1995.

2004
Ai3/DJD Investment Products will be opening a logistics center for Mercedes-Benz. This center will create 223 jobs and is projected to be placed in service in January 2005.

A new 16-screen Cobb movie theater is projected to open in October 2004. The theater will offer modern technology, stadium style seating and digital surround sound.

The Northport Publix Supermarket opens for business in March 2004 and the University Publix Supermarket opens in June 2004.

TW - Fitting-NA, LLC, a Mercedes-Benz exhaust system supplier, opened in 2005 with 35 jobs created

Alabama Biodiesel Corportation - in Moundville - produces biodiesel fuel, hiring 9 employees

Transportation

Highways & Road Systems

     The West Alabama area is serviced by Interstates 59/20 and 359. I-59/20 connects the Region with Atlanta, approximately four hours, to the Northeast and New Orleans, approximately five hours, to the South. U.S. Highways 82, 43, and 11, State Highways 69, 215, and 171, also service the area.  These highways connect the communities of the West Alabama region and all intersect in the city of Tuscaloosa, which is located on I-59/20.  The newly constructed Black Warrior Parkway creates a direct link from I-59/20 to the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport.

      The West Alabama region is strategically located to service the Southeast and the globe.  Major ports on the Gulf of Mexico are less than three hundred miles to the South. This location also allows goods to be shipped North to Birmingham and Atlanta, where they can be routed to any location in the world.

     There are many motor freight and package delivery companies that service the region.  These services in conjunction with the road system make the region a premier location for global corporations.

Air Service

     The Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, Van de Graff field, has a 6,500 foot lighted jet runway.  Charter air services are available with excellent private and corporate air facilities located at the airport complex.  Bama Air and Tuscaloosa Air provide fixed base operation.  Van de Graff field is conveniently located adjacent to the Tuscaloosa Airport Industrial Park.

     Birmingham’s International Airport, is a short hour’s drive from the West Alabama Region and serves the entire United States.  Several major carriers, including Delta, American, United, Northwest, Southwest, TWA, Continental, and USAir service the facility.

Rail

     Rail is a vital transportation link for the region.  Numerous manufacturing and consumer goods plants rely on rail service for shipping.  Kansas City Southern and Norfolk Southern service the region.  Amtrak also offers passenger service to New Orleans, Louisiana.  The “Crescent” route links New York and New Orleans.

Barge Service

     The Black Warrior river bisects the West Alabama Region.  The river, with a federally maintained waterway, connects the region to the port of Mobile via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway as well as to the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi River systems.

Public Transportation

     Communities within the region provide public transportation services.  Tuscaloosa provides scheduled inter-city bus passenger service daily.  Greyhound provides local scheduled passenger service.  Charter service is available from many charter companies.